The Ghana Law Society (GLS) has proposed replacing the current pupillage arrangement for newly qualified lawyers with a structured national service programme, alongside mandatory pro bono legal services for practicing lawyers.
President of the Ghana Law Society, Rockson Etse Deafeamekpor, announced the proposals at the launch and maiden Bar Conference of the Society, saying the reforms were intended to give young lawyers practical experience while extending legal services to underserved communities.
Under the proposed arrangement, young lawyers would undertake structured national service in districts and institutions where their expertise is needed. The initiative is expected to involve collaboration between the Ghana Law Society, the General Legal Council, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Office of the Chief Justice and the National Service Authority.
Mr Deafeamekpor criticized aspects of the existing six-month pupillage system, arguing that it often exposes young lawyers to repetitive administrative tasks without providing sufficient community-based legal experience.
He said the system could be transformed into a year-long structured national service programme that would combine professional development with public service.
Under the proposal, lawyers could be posted to district assemblies to assist with legal and documentary work. Others could serve at offices of the Legal Aid Commission, where they would provide assistance to accused persons who lack access to legal representation.
Young lawyers could also be assigned to district magistrate courts to support judges through legal research, according to the proposal.
“We also propose to ensure that lawyers are posted as national service personnel to districts where they can occupy offices of the Legal Aid Commission. They can assist accused persons who are often arraigned before district courts without any legal assistance and who are sometimes remanded for months, and sometimes years, without access to legal services.” he said.
The GLS believes the arrangement would enable newly qualified lawyers to gain practical experience while extending professional services beyond Ghana’s major urban centers.
Mr Deafeamekpor said converting pupillage into a national service period would also enable young lawyers to obtain a national service certificate, which could improve their eligibility for public-sector employment.
The Society has also proposed that every lawyer provide at least 10 hours of free legal services annually to people who cannot afford legal representation.
The proposal forms part of a broader seven-pillar Bar reform programme being considered by the Ghana Law Society.
The Society argues that greater availability of legal services in communities could help address situations in which relatively simple disputes escalate into lengthy litigation because citizens lack access to timely legal advice.
The reform proposals are also focused on addressing the uneven distribution of lawyers across the country.
The GLS has proposed deploying lawyers to districts where legal services are limited, including through Legal Aid offices and district courts.
The initiative is intended to bring legal services closer to citizens who otherwise have to travel long distances to obtain professional assistance.
The Society has also proposed greater use of technology, specialization and professional development as part of efforts to modernize the legal profession.
The conference also heard calls for broader reforms to Ghana’s legal and justice systems.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, as part of his remarks noted that public confidence in the judiciary depends on citizens’ experiences when they encounter the law.
He identified legal reform as an important component of economic development, noting that uncertainty over contracts, land ownership and emerging areas such as data, digital assets and artificial intelligence can affect economic activity.
He also pointed to recent legislative and institutional developments, including the Legal Education Act, 2026, the Community Service Act, 2026, reforms concerning regional tribunals, and continuing digitalization within the Judiciary.
He called for further improvements in legal aid, case management, alternative dispute resolution, land administration, commercial dispute resolution and the administration of justice.